Lesson 19

SOLOMON

"Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin." (Neh. 13:26)

Text: 2 Samuel 12:24 - 1 Kings 11:43; 1 Chron. 28, 29; 2 Chron. 1-10

Name: "Peaceful" (Jedidiah, 2 Sam. 12:25) Son of David, third king of Israel

Place: Jerusalem

Traits: Wisdom, wealth, excess

References: Ecclesiastes; Song of Solomon; Neh. 13:26; Psalm 72; Matt. 6:29; 12:42

SOLOMON THE PRINCE
2 Samuel 12-18
1. Promise of Power
2. Loved by the Lord
3. Learning Wisdom
· David and Bathsheba's son
· "Loved of the Lord" - 2 Sam. 12:25
· Grew up amidst great family turmoil

SOLOMON'S EARLY REIGN
1 Kings 1-3; 2 Chron. 1
1. Possession of Power
2. Loved the Lord
3. Requesting Wisdom
· Attempted coup by Adonijah - 1 Kgs. 1
· David's charge to Solomon - 1 Kgs. 2:1-9
· Solomon is crowned king - 1 Chron. 29:21-25
· Solomon's throne is established - 1 Kgs. 2:12-46
· Solomon's prayer for wisdom is granted, and more - 1 Kgs. 3; 2 Chron. 1

SOLOMON'S GOLDEN YEARS
1 Kings 4-10; 2 Chron. 2-9
1. Peak of Power
2. Built by the Lord
3. Living Wisely
· The prosperity and wisdom of his reign - 1 Kgs. 4:20-34
· Building the temple and palace - 1 Kgs. 5-7; 2 Chron. 2-5
· Dedication of the temple and other accomplishments - 1 Kgs. 8-9; 2 Chron. 6-8
· The queen of Sheba - 1 Kgs. 10:1-13; 2 Chron. 9:1-12
· Solomon's great wealth - 1 Kgs. 10:14-29; 2 Chron. 9:13-28

SOLOMON'S SAD DECLINE
1 Kings 11
1. Passing of Power
2. Turned from the Lord
3. Living Foolishly
· Solomon's wives and idolatry - 1 Kgs. 11:1-13
· Solomon's adversaries - 1 Kgs. 11:14-40
· Solomon's death - 1 Kgs. 11:41-43; 2 Chron. 9:29-31

LESSONS FROM SOLOMON
· Wisdom is knowledge faithfully applied.
· Like Solomon, we should pray for wisdom (Jas. 1:5-8).
· God is able to bless us beyond our expectation.
· Who we choose to marry will affect the rest of our lives, especially our service to God.
· Effective leadership can be nullified by an unfaithful personal life.
· Moral and religious compromise is sin.
· God dwells with His people in His temple, the church.
· God keeps His promises of punishment as surely as His promises of blessing.

QUESTIONS
1. Why was Gibeon called "the great high place?" (1 Kgs. 3:4; 2 Chron. 1:3;
1 Chron. 21:29)

2. What attitudes are reflected in Solomon's prayer? (1 Kgs. 3:5-9)

3. How did God answer Solomon's prayer? (1 Kgs. 3:10-14)

4. Give an example of Solomon's wisdom. (1 Kgs. 3:16-28)

5. Who supplied Solomon with the materials to build the temple? (1 Kgs. 5)

6. How long did it take to build the temple? Solomon's palace? (1 Kgs. 6:38; 7:1)

7. Describe Israel's worship in the early years of Solomon's reign (1 Kgs. 3:2). Compare 1 Kgs. 3:2 with Lev. 17:1-9 and Deut. 12:2-5, 13-14. Did it matter to God where Israel worshipped? (1 Kgs. 9:3)

8. What did the queen of Sheba learn about Solomon? (1 Kgs. 10:1-10) How is Jesus "greater than Solomon"? (Matt. 12:42)

9. Who (what) turned Solomon's heart away from God? (1 Kgs. 11:1-8; Neh. 13:26)

10. What did God promise to do as a consequence for his sins? (1 Kgs. 11:9-13)

11. Who was Jeroboam? What did Solomon try to do to him? (1 Kgs. 11:26-40)

12. From Ecclesiastes, tell what things from which Solomon tried to find happiness. Did he succeed? What did he conclude was the purpose of life? (Eccl. 12:13-14)